So many love affairs have left their unfading mark in human history. From Antony and Cleopatra’s love story to Richard Burton’s relationship with Hollywood megastar Elizabeth Taylor, we can all name plenty of great love stories which have somehow suffered a great deal of pain and misfortune. However, not all great loves are as tragic. In comparison to these ill-starred tales, we happen to be aware of a certain love affair that has been 'living the dream' for over a century, proving that happy endings are not limited to fairy-tales. A match made in heaven without any further ado, in today’s post we explore the intimate connection between Cuban Cigars and watches, discussing what makes these two go hand in hand.
“BOTH ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALE ARCHETYPE OF STYLE”
CASTRO INFLUENCE – Many argue that the marriage between cigars and watches was first introduced by Cuban revolutionary and communist politician, Fidel Castro. Of course, we are all be aware of Castro’s influence in the cigar industry. The man responsible for launching possibly the most popular cigar brand in the world, Cohiba Cigars, we have no other but Fidel Castro to thank for having the chance to smoke great habanos like the Aged Cohiba Behike 56 Cigar and the Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos Cigar. Nonetheless, Castro’s influence in the cigar world goes far beyond the creation of Cohiba Cigars as we know them today. Known to wear two wristwatches at the same time, Fidel Castro’s Rolex watches were as much iconic as his smokes. In particular, Castro was popular for wearing both a GMT and a Submariner watch on one wrist, another unconventional eccentricity that adds to Castro’s idiosyncrasy.
ETERNAL GENT – There is no doubt that certain items manage to become emblematic over time. Cuban Cigars Online and watches are strongly associated with the male archetype of style, class, and sophistication the same way that the Hermes Kelly bag and the Chanel No.5 perfume are with female aesthetics. Going back in time, we can name various popular cigar aficionados that share a strong passion for the world of watches. Known for his strong political stances and his favourite Romeo y Julieta Churchills Cigar, Winston Churchill was a fan of both pocket watches and wristwatches. However, the former British Prime Minister was exceptionally attached to his gold Breguet pocket watch which he called “The Turnup”. A dear friend of Churchill and another gentleman who, however, preferred the company of Montecristo Cigars, Aristotle Onassis was rarely spotted without his favourite wristwatch. Recently, a gold Breguet wristwatch with leather straps belonging to John F. Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis was auctioned in New York City for over £200,000. That been said, cigars and watches are amongst these products that manage to identify a man’s outer appearance as timeless and classy.
Left: Portrait of Winston Churchill with his pocket watch by Yousuf Karsh, Top Right: Aristotle Onassis with his gold Breguet wrist watch, Bottom Right: Winston Churchill wearing his characteristic pocket watch and Homburg hat in London
“THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS ANYTHING BUT SUPERFICIAL”
LIFESTYLE – Despite being considered as items of male supremacy in the past, cigars and watches are now products aimed at men and women respectively. But what is it that connects these two worlds today? Cigars and watches are strongly linked with lifestyle as both of these products are designed to appeal to certain consumers by association with a luxurious and opulent lifestyle. Coming from one of the most prestigious cigar brands in the world, the Partagas Serie D No. 5 Cigar is proof that habanos are connected with contemporary lifestyle. Full of rich and complex aromas, No. 5 cigar measures at 110 mm long by a ring gauge of 50 and is capable of producing a full flavoured profile, typical of Partagas Cigars.
CRAFTSMANSHIP – Saving the best for last, Cuban cigars and premium watches have something very unique in common. Their relationship is anything but superficial as their bond is first shaped during the manufacturing process of each. To elaborate, both cigars and watches are products of exquisite craftsmanship, created using high-quality first materials by highly skilled manufacturers. It takes a lot of time, effort, and passion to either hand-roll a cigar or assemble a watch from scratch. A smoke that reflects all the hard work behind true craftsmanship, the Cohiba Exquisitos Cigar is truly one of a kind. Coming in a Seone vitolas that measures at 125 mm in length by a ring gauge of 125, the Exquisitos cigar is made totalmente a mano – totally handmade) and produces a smooth and quick burning, as good as any Limited Edition smoke.
Zenith watches celebrated their El Primero Chronograph with the release of a limited edition watch featuring a Havana brown dial and a set of emblematic Cohiba motifs
Habanos and watches share a very strong bond for years, one constantly interacting with another. From Castro’s Rolex to Churchill’s Breguet pocket watch, we discussed the connection between Cuban Cigars for Sale Online and watches. Find out more about the enticing world of habanos from our Cuban Cigar Blog.